B Visa

Visitor’s Visa

Visitor visa (B visa) is available for those individuals who are coming to the US for a SHORT duration either to conduct business (B-1) or travel (B-2). Certain nations (most of Europe, Canada, Singapore, Japan) do not need a visa to enter US for a period of 90 days under the VISA WAIVER PROGRAM.

REQUIREMENTS

  1. The individual must come to the US for a short duration and return home after that objective is met.
  2. Hence, the individual has to show a foreign residence which he will go back to, and other significant ties (job, family, etc)
  3. The individual has enough financial resources to support himself and will not be a public burden. For a B-2 visa, an US sponsor can submit a I-134 affidavit of support. Non publicly traded companies are advised to include a financial statement of the business.
  4. The individual does not receive remuneration in the US for the business activity conducted
  5. The business conducted is legal

METHOD

The individual has to apply at an American Embassy or Consulate in her home country.

Make an appointment, and take supporting documents and:

Fill out DS 156
http://evisaforms.state.gov/

and DS 157 or 158
http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html

Passport valid at least 6 months after the individual returns.

Once the B visitor enters the US she will be given an I-94 or I-94W which will have a date stamped on it. Unless they apply for an extension, that is the last date they can stay in the US, after which they will accrue unlawful presence. It is important to submit the I-94 upon departure, so that Customs and Border Patrol will have record of the departure. If the airlines fails to collect the I-94, please return it to:

ASC – CBP SBU
1084 South Laurel Road
London, KY 40744 USA

SAMPLE LETTER FOR US EMPLOYER TO SEND TO INDIVIDUALS ABROAD. Please write it on letterhead.

TO:____________
Consulate Officer
Foreign City, Country

This letter is written in support of the non-immigrant B –1 visa for _______, a _________national.
Write a short description as to what your company does.

Write a short description of what the individual will be doing in your Company in the US. If training, specify type. Include the qualifications of the individual to do this job, and his general qualifications.

We assure you that Mr. _______ will NOT be paid for his services rendered in the U.S., by our Company, and will not be earning a salary here in the U.S. We also assure you that upon conclusion of his assignment, he will return to _________ insert country

We therefore ask that you kindly issue the multiple entry B-1 visa to Mr. _________, so that we can fulfill our objectives.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Name of Company
Name of Employer’s Representative
Job title

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